A group of 20 emerging football talents from around the world are expected to attract global attention at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the tournament prepares to feature an expanded format and a record number of debutants, reports AP.
The World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will include 48 teams for the first time, with 891 of the 1,248 selected players set to make their World Cup debut.
The expanded structure, which also introduces a round of 32, is expected to give young and lesser-known players a bigger platform to showcase their talent on the global stage.
Among the standout prospects is Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, who has impressed in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig through strong goal contributions and is regarded as one of Europe's most promising young attackers.
Mexico's Gilberto Mora, 17, is the youngest player on the list and already a rising star in his country. The Tijuana midfielder has made senior international appearances and featured in major youth tournaments under coach Javier Aguirre, making him one of the key home hopes.
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, 20, has also drawn attention after a strong season with Freiburg, where he impressed in both domestic and European competitions with his versatility and attacking impact.
For the United States, PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi is expected to carry attacking responsibilities after a productive season in the Netherlands.
Argentina's Nico Paz, now playing for Como in Italy, is another highly rated talent following a standout Serie A campaign under former Spain international Cesc Fabregas.
Morocco features strongly with Gessime Yassine and Ayyoub Bouaddi among the promising young midfield and wing options, while Algeria's Mohamed Amoura and Ibrahim Maza are seen as key attacking prospects.
Australia's next generation is represented by Lucas Herrington and Alessandro Circati, both defenders already gaining senior experience at a young age. Croatia's Luka Vuškovi?, currently on loan at Hamburg from Tottenham Hotspur, is also among the defensive prospects to watch.
Other notable names include Turkey's Can Uzun, Mexico's Armando González and Brian Gutiérrez, Colombia's Luis Suárez (Sporting), Iraq's Ali Jasim, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kerim Alajbegovi?, and Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Touré.
Analysts say many of these players are already featuring in top European leagues or major youth competitions, while others are breaking through at international level. The expanded World Cup format is expected to accelerate their rise and provide a major stage for breakthrough performances.
AFP adds, Brazilian star Neymar said he feels like a "kid" ahead of what will be fourth and "final" World Cup, which could yet risk being derailed by a nagging calf injury.
The 34-year-old is a doubt for the start of Brazil's World Cup campaign and is expected to miss their tournament opener against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday.
But Brazil's all-time record scorer is said to be "recovering well" and will hope to play a part for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the United States.
The five-time champions play Haiti on June 19 and face Scotland five days later in their final Group C match.
"Even though it's my fourth World Cup, it's a different feeling because of everything involved and, obviously, because it's the final one," Neymar said in a preview of the feature-length documentary "Vai, Brasil" (Go, Brazil), due to be released on Wednesday.
Neymar has been an integral part of Brazil's last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023.
"I'm here feeling like a kid, like an 18-year-old going to his first World Cup," said the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.
"I'm very proud, very happy to be here. I'm going to enjoy every second, every moment of this World Cup and I hope it will be special as well," he added.
Neymar made his World Cup debut on home soil in 2014 but was sidelined by injury when Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals at the past two tournaments.
For the last few years, FIFA upgraded its revenue projections and the most recent financial report stating that the world governing body will make $13 billion from the four-year cycle culminating in this summer's tournament and almost $9 billion will be brought this year.
Contrasting, the most recent edition of the Olympics generated $5.24 billion, report agencies. In financial terms the World Cup trailed the Olympics until the 2010 tournament in South Africa, which brought $4.19 in revenue compared to the $3.23 billion at current exchange rates produced b the London 2012 Games.
From rising revenues by 18 per cent between the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the Qatar edition four years later ,the cycle that brought in $7.5 billion Fifa's yield will have increased by another 73 per cent by the end of Summer based on its projections.
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